EAST Hampshire MP Damian Hinds has been appointed Minister of State at the Ministry of Justice, responsible for HM prisons and the probation service.

He said: “I am honoured to be joining the Ministry of Justice as minister for prisons and probation.

“I’m looking forward to working with all the dedicated team at HM Prison and Probation Service.”

Since being elected an MP in 2010, Mr Hinds has previously been Exchequer Secretary at the Treasury, Employment Minister at the DWP, Education Secretary and Security Minister at the Home Office.

The MP added: “This is a new brief for me, and one that I am excited to be taking on, and being able to use experience from my previous roles in government.

“Prisons and the probation service play a vital role in our country, one that’s unseen by many, helping to keep us safe and also working with offenders to rehabilitate and get their lives on a better track.”